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It has been proposed that protein supplementation during resistance exercise training enhances muscle hypertrophy. The degree of hypertrophy during training is controlled in part through the activation of satellite cells and myonuclear accretion.

Purpose This study aimed to determine the efficacy of protein supplementation (and the type of protein) during traditional resistance training on myofiber cross-sectional area, satellite cell content, and myonuclear addition.

Conclusion Protein supplementation during resistance training has a modest effect on whole-body lean mass as compared with exercise training without protein supplementation, and there was no effect on any outcome between protein supplement types (blend vs whey). However, protein supplementation did not enhance resistance exercise–induced increases in myofiber hypertrophy, satellite cell content, or myonuclear addition in young healthy men. We propose that as long as protein intake is adequate during muscle overload, the adaptations in muscle growth and function will not be influenced by protein supplementation.

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1Division of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX; 2Department of Nutrition and Metabolism, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX; 3School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX; 4Sealy Center on Aging, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX; 5Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX; 6DuPont Nutrition and Health, St. Louis, MO

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